top cover fabric ?

[noldhor]

Hi everyone !

Im about to diy a new hammock for someone and I would like to know if there will be a difference using 67 or 90 argon ?

More wind protection with the 90 ?

How about moisture, the 67 breath better or Im wrong ?

[Monkeyboy42]

Over on backpacking light argon 90 has been discussed as the perfect balance between breathable and wind resistant at 35 cfm for a windshirt. I'd assume that would bear out for a top cover also. Argon 67 tested as less windproof and more breathable.

I'd do the math on the weight savings between the two also. At .23oz syd i bet your at most saving an ounce between the two.

It's really based on your needs!

[noldhor]

Thx guys !

My concern is more about moisture, wondering if .67 help a little in letting the moisture escape.
If its more breathable, I guess it helps...

Kitsapcoboy, you said top cover takes some abuse, are you talking about the tension it creates on your top when moving in your hammock?

[Monkeyboy42]

Or just incidental rough contact, occasional falling debris, snags, etc. The shear stresses from the zipper sewn on the edge are actually applied in vectors where the material is strongest, so while they are of some concern, to me they are of less concern than tears or punctures.

Does a top cover take more abuse then a bugnet made out of .5oz or .67oz noseeum? I’ll trust ripstop to be more durable then noseeum. I’ve never had a bugnet fail, zippered or not. I doubt a top cover will be worse off. If it does tear or puncture, that’s why you carry tenacious tape, or similar.

[Monkeyboy42]

I don't ever use 0.5 oz mesh, and my heavier materials have never required a tape repair in the field. Whatever works... HYOH.

Or .67oz. For real world comparison’s sake, the chameleon used ..67oz noseeum. I have not heard reviews questioning it’s durability. I can’t imagine that it’s any more durable then argon 67. That said, the chameleon top cover is made from argon 90, but again, the 90 meets the generally excepted perfect balance for breathable vs wind proof.

[noldhor]

Good points, thank you Monkeyboy42

[old4hats]

I have limited experience with top covers, but even in a WBRR with only a bug net, I have never had issues with wind. The top cover is more about holding body heat and the downside of holding moisture. Go with the most breathable option.